Front Patents (Class 296/187.09)
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Publication number: 20150102636Abstract: A reinforcement unit for an engine-room encapsulation mounted to secure rigidity of a vehicle body, may include a cross member disposed to cross the vehicle body in a traverse direction of a vehicle and coupled with a cowl of the vehicle body, a pair of connection members, of which each first end is connected to a first end of the cross member and a second end thereof, respectively and, of which each second end is connected to two shock absorber housings disposed at both sides of the vehicle body, and a pair of support members, of which each first end is connected to second ends of the pair of connection members and, of which each second end is connected to a front end module of the vehicle body, wherein the reinforcement unit for the engine-room encapsulation is coupled with an engine-room encapsulation structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Hyun Cho, Joonho Lee, Jong Woo Nam, Hanshin Chung
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Patent number: 9004576Abstract: When a collision load is transmitted to a gusset, the load is transmitted to an inner side in a vehicle width direction via an inclined wall. Accordingly, moment that causes a front side member to be projected and bent inward to the inner side in the vehicle width direction with an intersection being a starting point acts on the front side member. Then, the front side member, which has been projected and bent inward, collides with a power unit that is disposed in an engine compartment from an outer side in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, a lateral force to the inner side in the vehicle width direction can be obtained for a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kosuke Sakakibara, Tomoyuki Kuriyama, Akihiro Tamaoki, Kenjiro Yamada, Shintaro Kitakata, Yasuyuki Hihara, Yasutaka Hasegawa
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Patent number: 8998300Abstract: A front-end module for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, includes a support frame (1) and at least one flange (2) for coupling the support frame (1) to a chassis of the vehicle, the flange (2) being configured so as to enable the free positioning of the module relative to the chassis within a plane orthogonal to a direction X of movement of the vehicle, as well as the attachment of the module onto the chassis in accordance with the positioning, the flange (2) and the support frame (1) being mutually configured so as to be attached to each other while enabling the movement of one relative to the other in the direction X in the event of impact.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Valeo Systemes ThermiquesInventors: Jean-Louis Lanard, Jean-Nicolas Guyomard, Leonardo Camargo
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Publication number: 20150091329Abstract: A chassis of a motor vehicle optimized for absorbing a frontal impact. The chassis includes a firewall separating a passenger compartment of the vehicle from a front portion of the chassis configured to hold an engine, and a mechanism for absorbing a frontal impact including two side rails mounted on at least the front portion of the chassis and arranged on either side of the chassis, each side rail including a front portion and a rear portion assembled to overlap at least partially. The side rails are arranged such that an overlap area is below the plane of the firewall, and the rear portion of the side rail includes a material which is less compressible than the front portion of the side rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.Inventors: Jerome Caillard, Christian Delord, Herve Gaumont, Thierry Hlubina
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Patent number: 8991903Abstract: A front-end assembly including a deflector and a catcher bracket. The V-shaped deflector is attached to a bumper of a vehicle, a rear leg of the deflector has a distal end disposed adjacent to the frame rail. In a collision, the distal end of the rear leg engages the catcher bracket to reduce intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Morteza Tanbakuchi
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Patent number: 8991901Abstract: An energy-absorber device is mountable to a component of a vehicle, such as an engine cradle. The energy absorber device includes an elongated first member and an elongated second member. The first member has a first pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the first member. The second member has a second pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the second member. The first member is attached to the second member with the side walls of the first member at least partially overlapping the side walls of the second member, with a base of the first member positioned opposite a base of the second member. Aligned pairs of apertures function as deformation initiation features when a predetermined force in a longitudinal direction is applied to the first ends.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael L. Stockard, Ciprian C. Robu
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Publication number: 20150084375Abstract: A pair of right-and-left extension members which deform and absorb an impact at a vehicle frontal collision, in cooperation with a pair of front side frames, are provided. The extension members are configured to be joined to respective middle portions, in a height direction, of a pair of tower portions of a sub frame at their rear end portions, to project forward, bending outward at a level below the front side frames, and to be comprised of a pair of members having a closed cross section, respectively. The rear end portions of the extension members joined to the tower portions are positioned so that a center line of a longitudinal direction of each of the extension members at the rear end portion is located at an inward position relative to a center line of a standing-vertical direction of each of the tower portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Norio ASANO, Shohei YOSHIDA, Fumitaka ANDOU, Hiroaki TAKESHITA, Ippei KURODA, Shun TESHIGAHARA
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Patent number: 8985671Abstract: A V shape bumper extension for a vehicle is provided where the V shape member has an extension member and a support member. The extension member extends linearly away from a bumper and the support member is positioned at an acute angle with respect to a crush can. The support member includes an outer edge spaced apart from the crush can and is connected to the crush can through at least one breakable attachment.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wanjun Lei, Yi Qu, Chris Stephen O'Connor, Naeem Ahmed Ghias, Erika Kristin Low
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Publication number: 20150076863Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that extends along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a front fascia and a forward load bearing beam that are disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis. A load distribution mechanism is rotatably attached to the forward load bearing beam for rotation about a rotation axis. The load distribution mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is for engaging an upper portion of the front fascia, above the forward load bearing beam. The second portion is for engaging a lower portion of the front fascia, below the forward load bearing beam. The front fascia engages the first portion and the second portion of the load distribution mechanism, and the load distribution mechanism rotates about the rotation axis, to control displacement of the front fascia in response to an applied force in which an object contacts the front fascia.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Tushar S. Baviskar, Vijay Shankar Iyer, Sudhir K. Maddireddy, Scott A. Sytsma
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Patent number: 8979174Abstract: A countermeasure assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a front side rail extending in a generally longitudinal direction; a bumper having a main bumper member and a bumper extension forming an end portion of the bumper; and a pivot link having front and rear mounting portions. The front mounting portion is pivotably engaged with the bumper extension member to define a front pivot joint, and the rear mounting portion is pivotably engaged with the front side rail to define a rear pivot joint. The rear pivot joint is located rearward and inward from the front pivot joint. The bumper extension is bolted to the forward end of the front side rail. The bumper extension has a front member and a rear member, of which the rear member is bolted to the front side rail. The front member and the rear member of the bumper extension define a hollow box structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Naipaul D. Ramoutar, Taichi Yamashita
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Patent number: 8979146Abstract: A vehicle bumper beam including: a resin beam having an elongate body extending along a vehicle-width direction, two tubular shock-absorbing portions disposed at the beam body's opposite longitudinal end portions extending in front-rear direction, the beam body and shock-absorbing portions being formed with each other; a metal beam disposed outside the resin beam in the front-rear direction, fixedly fitted to the resin beam. Further, flat attachment portions, formed with inner end portions of the shock-absorbing portions in front-rear direction; bent portions bent in a crank extending from attachment portions outward in front-rear direction, the beam body being to attachment portions via bent portions, the metal beam fixedly fitted to an outer surface of the beam body's intermediate portion; metal beam's opposite end portions extending beyond bent portions covering the right and left sides, fixedly fitted to distal end portions; each space defined by shock-absorbing portion, metal beam and bent portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsutoshi Kano, Yasuhiro Yoshimura
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Publication number: 20150069786Abstract: A panel for a vehicle. The panel includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has an exterior surface and an underside surface, and the inner panel is located adjacent to and along the underside surface of the outer panel, but spaced apart from the outer panel. The inner panel also exhibits a bow over a substantial portion of its length, with the bow being in a direction toward the outer panel. The bow induces a moment in the inner panel during impact of the vehicle in a collision that causes the inner panel and, resultantly, the outer panel to undergo a predetermined deformation in an upward direction relative to the vehicle. The panel may be provided as the hood of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Mark D. Clauser, Min Zhu
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Patent number: 8973975Abstract: A structure for the front portion of a vehicle body includes both an under load path member and a front load transmission member. The under load path member is extended toward the rear of the vehicle body from a lower bulk member to a sub-frame. The front load transmission member is provided at a position closer to the front of the vehicle body than the under load path member and closer to the rear of the vehicle body than the front end of the bottom of the lower bulk member, and transmits to the under load path member a load which is inputted from in front of the vehicle body. A gap is formed between the front load transmission member and the under load path member.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Isao Saitou, Kouji Nagata, Yoshitaka Murakami, Yosuke Shoji, Hidenori Machii
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Patent number: 8967700Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a first side member having first lower and upper darts. The motor vehicle also includes a second side member parallel with and spaced apart from the first side member, the second side member having second lower and upper darts. The upper darts are positioned between the lower darts and end portions of the respective first or second side members. The motor vehicle further includes first and second bumper brackets coupled to the end portion of the respective first or second side members, a bumper reinforcement member coupled to the first and second bumper brackets, and a counter rotation bracket coupled to the bumper reinforcement member and extending upwards from the bumper reinforcement member. The lower darts and the upper darts form a preferential buckling zone of the first and the second side members.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor CorporationInventors: Paul Maria-Antonius Slaats, Kanichi Saito, Paxton Steven Williams, Joseph Charles Walusek, Sagar Vilas Kulkarni
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Patent number: 8967687Abstract: A bumper reinforcement structure capable of achieving a weight reduction while still securing required bending strength in a bumper reinforcement structure with closed cross-section structure configured by joining together an inside member and an outside member. A bumper reinforcement is formed with two closed cross-sections configured by joining together three top-to-bottom flanges of an inner panel to three top-to-bottom flanges of an outer panel. The flanges of the inner panel are disposed in the same front-rear direction position as that of the wall portions that configure the closed cross-sections.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoya Kosaka, Shinji Miwa, Keisuke Shibata
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Publication number: 20150054308Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a front structure of a vehicle body having a wheel installation strut and a side member which flanks an interior defined by the front car. The side member has a convex surface, by means of which it is fastened to an end of the wheel installation strut in multiple points. At least one point is offset relative to the other points towards the interior. As a result, a front structure with good stiffness for improved occupant protection can be provided, which can also be assembled in a simple manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske
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Patent number: 8960741Abstract: The assembly is for mounting to a motor vehicle having a bumper skin and it comprises a body part forming at least a portion of a bumper skin. The body part is defined by bottom and top edges. The top edge includes a first portion to be masked by a member of the vehicle that is to be fitted to the body part. The assembly includes at least a first masking element masking at least one portion of the bottom edge and at least a second masking element masking at least one second portion of the top edge of the body part, complementary to the at least one first portion of the top edge of the body part. The first and second masking elements are fixed relative to the body part once the assembly is mounted to the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Compagnie Plastic OmniumInventors: Fabien Delwal, Hugues Cheron
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Patent number: 8960773Abstract: A vehicle body front section structure includes a projecting member that is provided at an outside wall of a front side member further to a vehicle width direction inside than a front wheel and at a location separated in the vehicle body front-rear direction from a front bumper reinforcement, such that the projecting member projects out further towards the vehicle width direction outside than the outside wall. The vehicle body front section structure is further provided with an assistance portion that is formed to the outside wall, and that assists movement of the rear end portion of the projecting member towards the vehicle width direction inside upon input of load to the projecting member.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshitaka Sotoyama, Shintaro Kitakata, Kenjiro Yamada
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Publication number: 20150035318Abstract: The present invention is directed to a divisional cowl-top cover. In an upper cowl-top cover, a first engaging claw is formed on a front face side of a supporting portion configured to support a sealing member, and at an upper end of a lower cowl-top cover, a second engaging-receiving portion configured to engage with the first engaging claw from an upper side is formed. If an impact load acts on a hood and then the upper cowl-top cover moves downward, the first engaging claw and the second engaging-receiving portion are disengaged from each other, and the upper cowl-top cover lowers while supporting lowering of the hood, and is capable of absorbing the impact load while lowering.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Daisuke SERIZAWA, Yuichi HINATA, Yasumasa HORIMIZU
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Publication number: 20150028626Abstract: A catcher bracket disposed between a powertrain and a sub-frame of a vehicle. The catcher bracket defines a load path in a collision that is sufficient to displace the powertrain that directs the force of the impact through the catcher bracket to a sub-frame of the vehicle. The sub-frame is connected to the body structure of the vehicle by fasteners that fracture to decouple the powertrain and sub-frame from the body structure of the vehicle to reduce the collision pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Sriram Gopal, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, John Vincent Fazio, Matthew B. Makowski, Djamal Eddine Midoun
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Publication number: 20150021953Abstract: A cowl structure of a vehicle includes: A-pillars vertically arranged at both sides of a vehicle body; an apron upper member arranged on a front of each of the A-pillars to be longitudinally elongated therefrom; a shock absorber housing formed under the apron upper members; a cowl transversely arranged between the apron upper members; and an engine compartment extension panel connected between the cowl and the apron upper member so as to form an extended plane on both sides of the cowl corresponding to the cowl. The apron upper member is integrally formed with the A-pillar in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and both sides of the cowl are cut along the shape of the engine compartment extension panel so as to correspond to the engine compartment extension panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Hee-Suk CHUNG, Dae-Hyun Song, Ki-Hwan Kim, Jin-Sung LEE
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Patent number: 8936299Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle front body structure comprising a cross-sectionally closed front side frame installed to extend in a front-rear direction of a vehicle. The front side frame has a depressed section formed in a lower region of a vehicle-width directional inner wall surface portion thereof in such a manner as to be depressed toward a vehicle-width directional outward side. The front side frame is internally provided with a reinforcing member extending over a front-rear directional dimension of the depressed section. An upper portion of the reinforcing member is joined to at least one of a vehicle-width directional intermediate region of an upper wall portion of the front side frame and an area of the upper wall portion located outward side of the intermediate region, and a lateral portion of the reinforcing member is joined to a wall surface portion corresponding to the depressed section.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Junichi Tanaka, Kenichi Yano, Takayuki Nakamae
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Patent number: 8936276Abstract: A body structure of a vehicle includes a bulkhead, and a frame rail extending forward from the bulkhead along a longitudinal centerline. A powertrain system is disposed laterally inboard of the frame rail relative to the longitudinal centerline. The frame rail includes a flared section, a splayed section, and a reinforcing member. The flared section curves laterally outboard, away from the longitudinal centerline. The splayed section includes a variable cross sectional area that increases with an increase in distance from the bulkhead. The reinforcing member is operable to increase lateral stiffness in the frame rail, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal centerline. The frame rail is operable to deform into contact with the powertrain system in response to a load applied to a forward end of the body structure and laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline, to generate a lateral force in the body structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Rajan V. Vyas, Bhushan W. Dandekar, Darek G. Villeneuve, Marcel R. Cannon, Young Doe, Krishnarao V. Yalamanchili
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Patent number: 8931825Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes: an exterior member provided at a lower portion of a front end of a vehicle; and an energy absorbing bracket having front and rear ends, the front end facing a rear surface of the exterior member and the rear end being mounted on a vehicle structural member. The energy absorbing bracket has an upper surface which is disposed to be inclined downward toward a front of the vehicle, and the inclination increases continuously or stepwise from a rear of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle, lower vehicle width direction ribs which project downward from the upper surface, extend substantially in a vehicle width direction, and are disposed in a vehicle front-rear direction, and lower vehicle front-rear direction ribs which project downward from the upper surface, extend substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction, and disposed in the vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuhiro Oota
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Publication number: 20150000994Abstract: A vehicle (10) comprising a bonnet or hood assembly (12) having a passive pedestrian impact zone (P) and a second active pedestrian impact zone (A); the active zone being deployable by an actuator (30) upon receipt of a deploy signal from a control unit the second active zone being coupled to the bonnet assembly by one or more tethers (54, 56). The control unit receives data input from sensors (22) or other measurement devices and determines if the predetermined conditions for deployment of the second active zone are met.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventor: William McLundie
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Patent number: 8919834Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam having a bumper beam surface extending along a bumper plane X and a crash box including a crash box surface extending along a crash box plane Y. One of the bumper beam and the crash box includes an alignment joint to mate the bumper beam and the crash box and dispose the surfaces in abutting and aligned relationship relative to one another for establishing a linear load path extending linearly along the planes X, Y. A method of assembling a bumper assembly includes the steps of mating the bumper beam and the crash box about the alignment joint and connecting the bumper beam and the crash box together along the alignment joint. The step of connecting the bumper beam and the crash box includes friction stir welding the bumper box and the crash box together along the alignment joint.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Thomas James Freundl, Jeffery Jay Mellis
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Patent number: 8919864Abstract: An adjustable air diffuser is disposed in an airflow channel into which a travelling wind is directed through an opening provided in a bumper face. The diffuser opens and closes the channel by movable louver blades driven by an actuator. An upper part of the diffuser is disposed to face a rear wall of the bumper face and is attached to a bumper beam extending along a vehicle width direction. A lower part of the diffuser is attached to a vehicle body structural member. The attachment structure includes a column that is disposed behind the adjustable air diffuser. A lower end of the column is attached to a lower end of the adjustable air diffuser. Weak portions are provided on the column such that the column breaks when the column interferes with another member behind the column.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoki Kojima, Shinji Fukushima, Takashi Suzuki
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Patent number: 8919835Abstract: A structure for absorbing frontal collision energy of a vehicle absorbs frontal collision energy of a vehicle using both front side members configured to support a bumper beam disposed at a front side of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel disposed outside the front side member, and a fender apron member disposed outside the shock absorber housing panel, and the structure includes: an enlarged member installed to be inclined between an outer surface of the front side member and a rear surface of the fender apron member so as to be spaced forward and apart from the outer surface of the front side member; and an enlarged frame engaged between a lower side of the fender apron member and a front mounting portion of a sub-frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Min Uke Han, Kang San Lee
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Patent number: 8915025Abstract: A method of creating a bend in a construction component for use in a transportation vehicle. The method comprises providing a plurality of cuts in the construction component so as to create a region of increased flexibility in the construction component. The method further comprises bending the construction component in the region of increased flexibility so as to cause the construction component to acquire a bent shape, and then rigidifying the construction component in the region of increased flexibility so as to cause said construction component to maintain the acquired bent shape.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbHInventors: Martin Laflamme, Nicolas Bernier, Mario L'Allier, Alain Robichaud, Gabriel Côté
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Publication number: 20140367994Abstract: The vehicle front structure 100 has a windshield lower 6, a cross member 7 fixed on the windshield lower 6, an upper member 1 extending in a front-back direction of a vehicle, a damper housing 4 fixed inside the upper member 1 in a vehicle width direction and arranged in front the cross member 7, and a damper housing support 5 coupling the cross member 7 with the damper housing 4. A closed section K is formed by the windshield lower 6 and the cross member 7. The damper housing support 5 has a damper housing fixed section 51 which is fixed on an upper surface 41 of the damper housing 4 and a vertical wall section 53 which extends backward from an inside of the damper housing fixed section 51 in the vehicle width direction and is fixed on the cross member 7.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Kazutada Sasaki, Hidefumi Nihei, Daisuke Naoi, Masanobu Eguchi
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Patent number: 8905463Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper system with which the requirements for compatibility between motor vehicles can be accommodated. In particular the invention relates to a bumper system for a motor vehicle which has a force distributing element (10) and which is characterized in that in at least two planes at different heights there are force absorbing components (20, 13) on the motor vehicle (2) and the force distributing element (10) is mounted on the force absorbing components (20, 13) and connects the force absorbing components (20, 13).Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Steffen Kuhne
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Patent number: 8899662Abstract: A rear apron panel is provided between a suspension tower and a dash panel. A vertical branch brace is provided to extend upwardly from a front side frame along an inner face of a suspension tower to form a closed cross section with a rear portion of the suspension tower. A deformation restraint member interconnects the apron frame and the vertical branch brace. Accordingly, there is provided a vehicle-body front structure which can restrain the apron frame from deforming outwardly in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle frontal collision to prevent the dash panel from moving back into the vehicle compartment too much.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Hiroto Kido, Masanobu Fukushima, Isamu Kizaki, Satoshi Nakamura, Keizo Kawasaki, Manabu Hashimoto
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Patent number: 8894134Abstract: A front body of a vehicle is formed by attaching a subframe to left and right front side frames. The subframe is disposed in front of a floor of a cabin and extends to the left and right. An engine contact part facing toward an engine inside the front body is disposed on an upper part the subframe. The subframe has rear fastening parts fastened to the respective front side frames, and rear arm connecting parts with which respective lower arms are engaged. A portion between each of the rear arm connecting parts and the corresponding rear fastening part is deformed to absorb shocks.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., LtdInventors: Kosaku Tomozawa, Yushi Nakao, Takeshi Yoshimoto, Manabu Ishizono
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Patent number: 8894129Abstract: A vehicle body structure is proved that basically includes a pair of side frame members and a pair of suspension support members. The side frame members extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure and are configured to absorb energy imparted during a collision in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure by undergoing an axial collapse. The suspension support members are arranged parallel to the side frame members. The suspension support members serve to support a suspension link member, and are configured to bend during the collision. Each of the suspension support members includes a rotation inducing structure that is configured to induce a bending rotation of the suspension support members during the collision upon an imparted load input from the collision being equal to or larger than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryuuzou Katou, Takahiro Kikuchi, Shinichi Kunishima
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Patent number: 8888167Abstract: A dash panel has an impact absorption portion formed therein. A suspension tower is connected to the impact absorption portion, so that support stiffness thereof can be ensured. In addition, the suspension tower can be rotated around the front pillar due to an impact, so that an amount of backward movement of the dash panel toward a vehicle interior can be reduced. Thus, a brake booster cannot substantially be moved backward, so that a brake pedal and a steering column can be prevented from being displaced in an upward and backward projecting direction. As a result, a vehicle interior can be protected.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Kubo, Yasuo Imai, Yoshinobu Itou, Daisuke Oozawa, Kenji Ishii, Jun Inagaki, Takahiro Tatsuno, Kazuhiko Katou
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Patent number: 8888166Abstract: A load transfer system and device for use in connection with structures forming a personnel cabin for a vehicle, is disclosed. The load transfer system includes a first surface, a second surface joined in an overlapping configuration with the first surface at a plurality of connection points, and, a load transfer device, wherein a force impacted on the first surface transfers via the load transfer device away from the connection points to prevent shearing of the connection points from the surfaces. The system and device are particularly useful on military vehicles, which are frequently subjected to high impact activities, including shock waves from a mine blast or impact between two objects, such as a vehicle crash. These events can subject the structures forming the vehicles and cabins to large shear stresses, particularly on the connection points holding the structures together, which could cause the connections to fail.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Navistar Defense Engineering, LLCInventors: Nicholas Michael Cassaday, Daniel S Russell
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Patent number: 8888168Abstract: There is provided a front vehicle body structure. The structure includes a front-side frame which is disposed on each side of a power unit in a vehicle width direction, and extends in a fore-and-aft direction; and a load-transfer member disposed outside in the width direction, near a front-end of the front-side frame, a rear end of the load-transfer member being fixed to a certain position of a outer lateral side of the front-side frame in the width direction, the certain position being located forwardly of a center of the power unit in the fore-and-aft direction, a front-end of the load-transfer member being disposed forwardly and outwardly of the rear end. A load to the front-end of the load-transfer member in a rearward direction of the vehicle causes a vicinity area of the fixed position to be displaced in a direction in which the vicinity area approaches the power unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsumasa Kuwabara, Hiroyuki Matsuda, Yutaka Miyata, Yusuke Takagi, Tomohiro Hosokawa
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Publication number: 20140333092Abstract: To provide a vehicle-body side part structure that can achieve both weight reduction and collision performance. A side sill 3 is constituted of an outer panel 11, an inner panel 12 located on the inside of the outer panel 11 in the vehicle width direction, and a backup panel 13 located on the inside of the inner panel 12 in the vehicle width direction. A backup panel central bulging portion 50 bulging inward in the vehicle width direction is formed in a central portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the backup panel 13, an outer panel bead central portion 22 recessed inward in the vehicle width direction is formed in the outer panel 11, and an inner panel bead central portion 39 recessed outward in the vehicle width direction is formed in the inner panel 12 to increase the rigidity in the vehicle width direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Takeo Mori
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Publication number: 20140333091Abstract: An energy-absorber device is mountable to a component of a vehicle, such as an engine cradle. The energy absorber device includes an elongated first member and an elongated second member. The first member has a first pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the first member. The second member has a second pair of aligned apertures at least partially defined by and extending through first and second side walls of the second member. The first member is attached to the second member with the side walls of the first member at least partially overlapping the side walls of the second member, with a base of the first member positioned opposite a base of the second member. Aligned pairs of apertures function as deformation initiation features when a predetermined force in a longitudinal direction is applied to the first ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael L. Stockard, Ciprian C. Robu
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Patent number: 8882182Abstract: A cowl structure for an automobile that may both impede movements of air and guide moisture in a cowl portion, even with a small number of components. Plural screen plates and a guide plate are disposed inside the cowl portion. The screen plate and screen plate impede movements of air in the cowl portion. The guide plate guides water inside the cowl portion to a vehicle forward side thereof. The screen plate and screen plate are joined by the guide plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichiro Murofushi, Hiroki Nomura, Shinsuke Yoshizawa
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Patent number: 8882181Abstract: The invention relates to a crash structure having adjustable rigidity for a deformation element for a vehicle, wherein the crash structure comprises a continuously adjustable rigidity, in that at least one blocking element (SR) moves in a plane rotated by an angle relative to the vehicle longitudinal axis with respect to a profile (MW), so that the rigidity is adjusted by a position of the at least one blocking element reached by the motion.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Bernd Goetzelmann, Thomas Friedrich
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Publication number: 20140326526Abstract: A front-end structure for a vehicle is provided with: front side frames, a subframe extending across a vehicle body floor front portion to support a suspension component and an electric power steering device, the subframe being supported at least at the front end portion and at the rear end portion and being formed in a subframe main body from a light alloy casting, and a pair of left and right extension arms that are fixed to the subframe main body and extend forward of the subframe main body, and that are formed from a light alloy or steel by press-molding. In the rear portion of the extension arms in the vicinity the subframe main body, provided is a recessed portion that serves as a point at which downward bending starts midway along the lengthwise direction of the subframe with an input load in the event of a vehicle frontal collision.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Ken Yasui, Eisei Higuchi, Tomoyuki Imanishi, Tetsuya Miyahara, Hiroyuki Yoshida
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Patent number: 8876194Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes a front side member, an A-pillar and a strut tower. The front side member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The A-pillar is coupled to the front side member. The strut tower is positioned forward of the A-pillar and has an inboard side fixedly attached to an outboard section of the front side member. The strut tower also defines a force receiving surface extending between the inboard side and an outboard side. The force receiving surface of the strut tower is configured and arranged to receive a force directed rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction and redirect at least a portion of the force in a vehicle lateral direction toward the front side member.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery Dix, Ryan Corby, Joyce Lam
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Publication number: 20140319873Abstract: An energy dissipation system for a vehicle includes a frame having a front end and a rear end spaced apart from the front end along a longitudinal axis. The energy dissipation system also includes an energy absorber attached to the frame at the front end. The energy dissipation system further includes a stiffener attached to the frame at the front end and spaced apart from the energy absorber along a vertical axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The stiffener is tubular and defines a cavity therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Fabricio A. Silva, Ney Q. Pereira
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Publication number: 20140319812Abstract: The strength of an instrument panel member (12) at a portion thereof between a steering shaft support part (16) and a linking part (13) on the side near a steering shaft (11) is set lower than the strength of the instrument panel member (12) at a portion thereof between the steering shaft support part (16) and a linking part (14) on the far side from the steering shaft (11), with respect to a load input through the linking part (13) on the side near the steering shaft (11) in the vehicle body front-rear direction. The above configuration makes it possible to suppress movement of a steering wheel inward in the vehicle width direction to thereby securely restrain a vehicle occupant by an airbag at the time of a vehicle frontal collision.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Masanobu Fukushima, Hiroto Kido, Hiromasa Honji
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Patent number: 8870267Abstract: A vehicle cabin body structure a side sill, a floor fixedly attached to the side sill, a dash wall and an inner reinforcing bracket. The dash wall is fixedly being attached to the side sill and the floor at least partially defining a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The inner reinforcing bracket has a sill attachment section attached to an inboard surface of the side sill, a dash wall attachment section attached to an interior surface of the dash wall and a floor attachment section attached to an upper surface the floor.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Zischke, Brian C. Shepard, Jeff Pencak, Emily Hospodar
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Patent number: 8870270Abstract: Structure for lower vehicle body of vehicle front part is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, structure includes suspension frame fastened to connection parts of front side members and floor side members; dash side members extend from fastening parts obliquely rearward and outward in vehicle width direction; outer end parts of dash side members connected to front end parts of side sills; front surfaces of lower parts of side outer panels arranged ahead of front end parts of side sills; dash side outer panels, side outer panels, and dash side inner panels connected together by flanges extending in vehicle up-down direction of front end part of each thereof, at positions of front surfaces of lower parts of side outer panels, side outer panels formed into an inclined surface inclined obliquely downward toward vehicle rear in side view and inclined obliquely rearward toward outside of vehicle in top view.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Shinei Mochizuki
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Publication number: 20140312654Abstract: A front subframe structure for an automotive vehicle comprises: a pair of right and left side members each provided with an arm support member for supporting a suspension arm is mounted; a cross member disposed between the left and right side members to couple together respective locations in the side members at each of which the arm support member is provided; and an oblique member extending from central portion of the cross member, in each of right and left directions of the vehicle and obliquely rearwardly and outwardly in the vehicle width direction, wherein each of the side members has a rear end joined to a rear portion of a respective one of the oblique members, and wherein the rear portion of the oblique member is provided with a tunnel-lower-frame coupling portion couplable to a tunnel lower frame, and a floor frame attaching portion attachable to a floor frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Katsuyuki Komiya, Masanobu Kobashi, Manabu Yamamoto, Jun Inoue, Satoshi Obata
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Patent number: 8864197Abstract: An electromagnetic sensor having a detection zone in a sensor direction is at least partly enclosed by a molded part in the sensor direction and at right angles thereto. The molded part contacts and adjoins a motor vehicle part such as a bumper, whereby the molded part is between the sensor and the motor vehicle part. At least one functional element, such as a radiation absorber, a lense, a waveguide, or a reflector, may be embedded in the molded part. The sensor may be received in a pocket recess of the molded part, with an opening at the back side of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbHInventors: Klaus Schneider, Miroslav Knezevic, Martin Vallendor
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Publication number: 20140305725Abstract: A collapsible hood bumper for a vehicle having a hood generally includes a housing and a bumper head. The housing has a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, a base, and an opening defining an interior chamber. The bumper head has a main body, and is configured to receive a force from the hood of the vehicle. The bumper head is normally in an upright position in which the bumper head extends through the opening of the housing. However, the bumper head is collapsible from the upright position to a compressed position in which the bumper head is substantially disposed within the interior chamber of the housing. The bumper head is configured to be resettable from the compressed position to the upright position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2013Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Peter M. Snede, David M. Kileen, David Waskie